Book Review: Macarons At Midnight – M.J. O’Shea & Anna Martin

23209132I’ve read this a few days after its release in October and tried to reread it this month – I always love me some cute story from M.J. O’Shea. This one though she co-wrote with Anna Martin, author of the Tattoos & Another Way series. I just loved this book! It’s just cuteness overload!!! It’s about Tristan Green, an English lad who landed in Manhattan for a job at a high profile ad agency. Unable to get a life out of his mundane routine, he found himself meandering over Henry Livingston’s bakery one night. Henry is the owner of a cutesy bakery and was also a renegade child who grew up in the Upper East Side but got so fed up so he decided to ditch his “old money” family and be a baker.  It started as a taste-testing flirting that developed into a sweet and oh-sexy romance that may just be the one thing that they both needed. All things crumbled, though, when Tristan’s work made him do something that could end all ties with Henry.

Don’t you just love reading an easy, breezy story that’ll leave you giddy and smiling from ear to ear after? That’s what I felt like after reading this book non-stop. Just effortlessly non-stop. Tristan and Henry are both lovely characters carved from the chic-flick mold. They’re just lovely and Tristan’s accent – really, I could hear it in my head!  I just love the easy chemistry between these two and how the story just stayed low-key all throughout without making it overly dramatic what with all the family and work fiasco involved. This is a really good book to pass the time – I usually say this when the book’s not really worth your precious time but this book IS worth it and would be a great company whilst relaxing and getting all cozy at your reading nook.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Published October 13th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press

Buy now:
Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

About The Authors
Anna Martin is from a picturesque seaside village in the south west of England. After spending most of her childhood making up stories, she studied English Literature at university before attempting to turn her hand as a professional writer.

Apart from being physically dependent on her laptop, she is enthusiastic about writing and producing local grassroots theatre (especially at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, where she can be found every summer), travelling, learning to play the ukulele, and Ben & Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk.

Anna claims her entire career is due to the love, support, pre-reading and creative ass-kicking provided by her closest friend Jennifer. Jennifer refuses to accept any responsibility for anything Anna has written.

***

M.J. O’Shea has been writing romance since algebra class in sixth grade (when most of her stories starred her and Leonardo DiCaprio). When she’s not writing, she loves listening to nearly all types of music, painting, reading great authors, and on those elusive sunny days in the Pacific Northwest, she loves driving on the freeway with her windows rolled down and her stereo on high.

She can be contacted at mjosheaseattle@gmail.com

Ultimate Eco-Warrior: Jamie Herrel is Miss Earth 2014!

Miss Earth 2014 - Jamie Herrel  via Miss Earth Pageant FB Page

Miss Earth 2014 – Jamie Herrel
via Miss Earth Pageant FB Page

Congratulations are in order for the newly crowned Miss Earth 2014! The host delegate and the ultimate earth warrior Jamie Herrel of the Philippines was adjudged the fairest last night at the UP Diliman Theather in Quezon City amongst 85 earth warriors across the globe vying for the crown won last year by Alyz Henrich of Venezuela.

(L-R) Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Jamie Herrel, Anastasia Krysova, Andrea Neu via missearth.tv

(L-R) Maira Alexandra Rodriguez, Jamie Herrel, Anastasia Krysova, Andrea Neu via missearth.tv

Completing the elemental queens are: Miss USA Andrea Neu as Miss Air, Miss Venezuela Maira Alexandra Rodriguez as Miss Water and Miss Russia Anastasia Krysova as Miss Fire.

I won’t even give much thought about the grousing calls from other netizens about home court advantage and such because things like winning in your home turf happens all the time and since Jamie clearly made an impressive show last night, I won’t take the credit from the girl!

Congratulations Jamie Herrell! Mabuhay Ka!

Book Review: A Little Bit Country – S.J. Frost

fanmade >_@

fanmade >_@

A country star and a rock star. Two very opposite men whose rivalry has been fueled by the media for years. What will happen if this animosity turned into something neither country crooner Jackson and rock star Ash expected?

I totally loved both Ash and Jackson. The oozing chemistry and personality was there. It’s a feel-good book that makes you think that maybe this could really be happening in real life. In fact, surreal things may be happening with the celebrities we’re admiring but at the same time, they’re just normal people at the end of the day. I first read this story via the MM Romance Group’s event Hot Summer Days where it was offered for free download and I loved it back then and upon getting a copy of its full novel, I easily fell for them again. After reading the short version – I understood the reason why Jackson didn’t come out (yet) which made me a bit disappointed but I think that made the story even more realistic. Now on its full novel, I find even more beautiful the way Ash and Jackson handled their situation. I’d really like to get a a novella next time with these two in it – perhaps a wedding? Please SJ Frost… 🙂

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Free novella written for the M/M Romance group’s “Hot Summer Days” event.

Book Review: Wanting – Piper Vaughn

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

Free short fiction. Written for the M/M Romance Group’s “Hot Summer Days” anthology.

Jonah Beckett has been in love with his older brother’s best friend, Laurie, since he was thirteen-years-old. When his boyfriend, Dirk, breaks up with him for refusing to put out, Jonah uses his heartbreak over the situation as an excuse to ask Laurie to teach him all about sex before he starts college in the fall. Problem is, he made Dirk up, and Jonah has no idea what will happen when Laurie finally finds out the truth. Via Goodreads

Reading this makes me feel like watching an episode of “Dawson’s Creek”. I loved the relaxed vibe of the story. And c’mon what is more beautiful that young love? I just have some issues about the lack of stronger conflict. It’s there but it wasn’t really felt – know what I mean? But yeah, this shortie is still a very good effort from the author J

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Drama Queers – Frank Anthony Polito

Bradley Dayton. Band Fag. Drama Queer. President of Thespian Troupe #4443. He’s gay. Err… He’s not a fag. I mean he is but…

via Goodreads

via Goodreads

I wished I could appreciate this more because it definitely reminds me so much of my high school days and most of my years in College doing student productions and all but sadly, it took me a bit of effort to last until the end. The book’s the companion of Frank Anthony Polito’s coming of age novel  Band Fags! released in 2008. Drama Queers centers on Brad Dayton (the best friend of Jack Paterno – who’s the central character in Band Fags!) and it chronicles the senior year of Brad in high school as he navigates his way through life from friendship, love and his aspirations.

I totally adore Brad and there are moments in the book that I’ve to stop because I was laughing too hard but most of the time, I feel like drowning with all the pop culture references. I find myself getting annoyed following the sequence of the story. Nonetheless, I thought it was real honest and the writing was really, really good. Can’t say I enjoyed it a lot but there’s something to chew on in it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Book Review: Billy Jean – Al Stewart & Claire Davis

23198869Billy Jean is a product of the Love’s Landscapes promotion offered by the Goodreads MM Romance Group. I love the quirky fetish involved here that was supposed to be the secret of the dance student Niall to his very butch cop boyfriend Dan. ‘twas a cute story to say the least. I thought Niall reminded me of Eli (from Bad in Baltimore series by K A Mitchell) who’s been keeping a secret from his boyfriend and has a very low self-esteem. It was short so the story was rather condensed in a good way but it felt really rushed. I was hoping the story would offer more about the Dan as a regular gay guy other than being a bad-ass cop. But het, there’s not much to complain here, it was a short read and I’d enjoy passing the time reading it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Download the story HERE.

Prepping For Miss Universe 2014 – MJ Lastimosa Is The Girl On Fire!

via Leo Almodal's IG account

via Leo Almodal’s IG account

Just recently, Miss Universe Philippines 2014 Mary Jean Lastimosa donned a Leo Almodal number in a photoshoot posted via Almodal’s instagram which garnered tremendous positive feedbacks from pageants fans netizens who are all hoping for Lastimosa to do well in the upcoming Miss Universe pageant in Miami January of next year. The fiery evening gown silhouetted Lastimosa’s enviable figure and accented her beautiful bone structure.

Lastimosa is considered a favorite for the crown this early on and a lot of Filipino pageant pundits are hoping that she’d actually be donning a Filipino designer-made ensemble come Miss Universe season. And personally, her dress and styling here spells WINNER. Well, hope springs eternal guys… let’s just really hope for the best O_o

Who’s Your Winner Of America’s Next Top Model Cycle 21?

pictures via cwtv.com

pictures via cwtv.com

Four models remains in the hopes of winning America’s Next Top Model – Cycle 21. Who’s it going to be this time? At last week’s episode, Lenox Tillman almost got the boot when she was pitted in the bottom two over fellow season’s favorite Shei Phan but managed to join the three guys in the finale becoming the last girl standing. Adam Smith snagged the first call out with Keith Carlos and Will Jardell getting the second and third call-outs respectively. Will Lenox be able to make her presence felt over the testosterone-filled two part finale next week? IMO, Lenox is the strongest model amongst the four and she kinda reminds me of Cycle 16 winner Brittany Kline in terms of modeling but I’ve a feeling that a guy will be on top this season – I love Will but my gut feel tells me that it’s either Adam or Keith who’s going to take the top plum. That’s just for me though, but do tell me who you think will win the title of America’s Next Top Model O_o

Catch the part one of the finale on  December 5, 2014 (8/7c) and the part two on the same day at (9/8c) on CWTV

Jurassic World’s Hybrid Dinosaur (?)

I’ve just been watching all of the trailers I’ve missed over the last few weeks and of course, the fourth installment of the Jurassic Park film series, Jurassic World got me all pumped up since I first saw its teaser – then its trailer [and got to see it first on TV over the news – mind you] I’m like, OMG. Tis’ makes me feel really old though. 🙂

Here’s the official trailer

I was kinda wondering though about the hybrid dinosaur they were talkin’ about and saw this “alleged” leaked image of the hybrid dinosaur called the D-REX (?)

DRex

via comicbookmovie.com

But really, more than anything else…I’m just really excited for the whole thing. I still remember my amazement the first time I’ve seen Jurassic Park and The Lost World on VHS! Yay! Now this…its gonna be a crazy 2015 with all these movies coming up!

Valerie Weigmann For Miss World 2014 Top Model Event

Val during the Top Model Event

Val during the Top Model Event

via The Emerald

Here’s what Miss Philippines Valerie Weigmann wore during the Top Model fast track event of the on-going Miss World 2014 in London.

via missworld.com

Val for the World Designer Award representing a creation from Michael Cinco via missworld.com

This yellow ball gown was designed by Michael Cinco. Reigning Miss World Megan Young won this fast track event last year in Bali.

Trivia: Back in 2012, Michael Cinco’s creation for Queenerich Rehman won the World Designer Award.

Update: Unfortunately, Val was not part of the Top 20 finalists for the Top Model Event. Based on recent Miss World trends, making an impression in this fast track event is a good indication of making it very far in the competition but I think it’s too early to tell that this would prevent Val from getting ahead since there are still fast track events in store for the girls plus the all-important judges one-on-one interview. Let’s just keep supporting Valerie and pray that she’d do all throughout the competition 🙂